ryokan

Where does the word "ryokan" come from? It comes from Japanese ryokan, and was adopted directly into English (1900s-2000s).

Ryokan’s story begins in Japanese: ryokan meant “a traditional Japanese inn.” Named a traditional inn offering tatami rooms, meals, and often hot-spring baths. It reached English by 1900s-2000s as ryokan. Guests sleep on tatami and futon; Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan, founded in 705, is one of the oldest hotels in the world. Today, ryokan means a traditional Japanese inn, typically featuring tatami-mat rooms and communal baths.

1. Stage 1 · Japanese · Edo era ryokan "a traditional Japanese inn", named a traditional inn offering tatami rooms, meals, and often hot-spring baths.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1900s-2000s ryokan "a traditional Japanese inn", guests sleep on tatami and futon; Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan, founded in 705, is one of the oldest hotels in the world.